Vancouver

Attractions

A group of friends walking on a bridge (Patrice Halley photo)

Attractions in Vancouver cater to nature nuts and history buffs, art fans and culture hounds, solo travellers or family groups.

Explore gardens, parks and beaches without leaving the city, and admire diverse architecture in various neighbourhoods, such as Gastown. Aboriginal culture is highlighted at the Museum of Anthropology and historic sites. Relive memories from the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games by visiting iconic attractions related to the Olympics.

To combine several attractions and experiences, join a Vancouver sightseeing tour.

Vancouver Places of Interest

Stanley Park is a 405ha/1,000ac urban escape. Bike or walk along on the 8.8-km/5.5-mi seawall, play a game of pitch and putt, enjoy a narrated horse-drawn tour, or relax on a beach.

The Vancouver Aquarium is Canada’s largest aquarium and home to more than 70,000 creatures. Watch a beluga whale, dolphin or otter show, or gently touch sea stars in a tide pool – all while learning about ocean conservation. This perennial family favourite was expanded in 2014 to include a children's play area, an immersive bat cave and ocean courtyard.

The Museum of Anthropology has a world-class collection of Aboriginal art and artifacts: towering totem poles, a cedar canoe, artwork by Bill Reid, and much more.

Granville Island has a diverse mix of galleries, theatres, shops and boutiques. It's renowned for the Public Market, which bustles with local artisans and food vendors selling fresh cheeses, pastas, breads, candies, and heaps of produce.

The Capilano Suspension Bridge is a 137-m/450-ft long bridge suspended 70m/230ft above a tumbling river. After tackling the bridge, head into the canopy on a Treetop Adventure walk or hike on paths that weave through old growth forest.

The Grouse Mountain experience begins with a 1.6-km/1-mi aerial tram ride to the peak. At the mountaintop, enjoy the incredible (and effortless) views of the city. Ziplining, a wind turbine, hiking trails, a grizzly bear refuge and more outdoor activities await, along with dining options.

Family Attractions

Science World is all about families. Science shows and very hands-on exhibits make learning fun for all ages. In nearby North Vancouver, Maplewood Farm is a rural retreat with more than 200 animals, including donkeys, rabbits, goats and cows (go in spring to see baby animals).

11 - 20 of 25 Results

The Vancouver Lookout is the perfect 'best first stop', providing a breathtaking 360° bird's eye view of one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Tickets are valid all day, guest can enjoy both the day and night views. The Vancouver Lookout has been one of the most iconic & recognizable landmarks in the city. The Observation Deck is situated in the heart of the city, high above Vancouver. Glass elevators whisk visitors 170 metres (550 feet) skyward to the Vancouver Lookout in a mere 40 seconds. We offer complimentary guided tours in a variety of languages.

Other businesses with Attractions

Fall in love with the diversity of life as you explore over 2 million plants & animals. Stare through the jaws of the largest creature ever to live on Earth, a 26-metre-long blue whale skeleton! The natural history museum houses six major collections including fish, fossils, shells, insects, fungi, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians & plant specimens from around British Columbia & the world. Drop-in public programs include activity stations, tours, crafts, puppet shows & more. The museum also hosts interesting lectures, workshops & temporary art exhibits. Visit our website for more information. Come for a full day at UBC & visit MOA, UBC Botanical Garden & Greenheart Canopy Walkway.

Bloedel Conservatory is a domed lush paradise located in Queen Elizabeth Park atop the City of Vancouver's highest point. More than 200 free-flying exotic birds, 500 exotic plants & flowers thrive within its temperature-controlled environment.
Constructed through a very generous donation from Prentice Bloedel, Bloedel was dedicated at its opening in 1969 "to a better appreciation and understanding of the world of plants." Now featuring a brand new roof (2014) and volunteer docents on weekends, it is jointly operated by Vancouver Park Board and the VanDusen Botanical Garden Association. Together, these partners also operate VanDusen Botanical Garden.

Britannia Shipyards, National Historic Site is an authentic representation of a once thriving community of canneries, boatyards, residences & stores. Tour the oldest shipyard buildings in BC & observe ongoing boat restoration projects in this active waterfront park along the Fraser River. Explore exhibits & take part in programs that interpret life on the river & the experiences of the multicultural community that called Britannia home.

Many of the buildings date back to 1885 & tell the stories of multi-ethnic residents & workers at the Britannia Cannery & Britannia Shipyard: Chinese, European, First Nations & Japanese. This collection of buildings has national value & was designated a National Historic Site in 1992 by the National Historic Sites & Monuments Board.

Just 15 minutes from downtown Vancouver, Grouse Mountain's Super Skyride whisks you to some of the best in local skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing & ice skating. With 26 runs - 15 open for night skiing - the latest in lift technology & one of the most extensive snow-making systems around, Grouse Mountain is one of Vancouver's favourite winter playgrounds. Situated 1120 metres (3,700 feet) above the city of Vancouver, Grouse Mountain's restaurants showcase some of the best of BC from fine dining at The Observatory to après in Altitudes Bistro to outdoor BBQs at Rusty Rail patio.

The Museum of Anthropology houses one of the world's finest displays of First Nations art in a spectacular building overlooking mountains & sea. We also host major temporary exhibits & display over 10,000 objects from around the world in our new Multiversity Galleries. Enjoy gallery tours (free with admission), exciting public programs, an elegant shop, Cafe MOA & our beautiful new outdoor reflecting pool.

The Museum of Vancouver (MOV) creates Vancouver focused exhibitions and programs that encourage dynamic conversations about what was, is, and can be Vancouver. Permanent exhibitions tell the city's stories, starting with an exhibition on the Musqueam First Nation's ancient landscape and living culture, continuing through the late 1970s. These displays are complemented by contemporary, groundbreaking feature exhibitions, including "Stefan Sagmeister's The Happy Show" (April 23- September 7, 2015). Our beautiful building is a must see for architecture lovers. MOV is located in scenic Vanier Park beside Kitsilano Beach - with HR MacMillan Space Centre and Vancouver Maritime Museum - a 5 minute drive from downtown and Granville Island. You can also take the Vancouver Trolley, False Creek Ferries, or public transit buses to get here.

A traditional Japanese Tea & Stroll garden located at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. Nitobe Memorial Garden is considered to be the one of the most authentic Japanese gardens in North America & among the top Japanese gardens outside of Japan. Included in the garden is a rare authentic Tea Garden with a ceremonial Tea House. There is harmony among natural forms - waterfalls, rivers, forests, islands & seas.

Explore Canada's oldest continuously operating university botanical garden & immerse yourself in the world of wild-collected plants. Garden highlights include an Asian garden with over 400 different species of rhododendrons, thousands of alpine & montane plants from around the world, a traditional physic garden full of herbs, a demonstration food garden & the Greenheart Canopy Walkway eco-adventure. Also, visit the Beaty Biodiversity Museum that is close by.